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Westmoreland Bar Foundation Mock Trial Program

“When I consider my high school experience, my time in the Mock Trial program stands out as the one activity that affected me the most," explains Danielle, the 2007 mock trial participant and scholarship winner. “It has given me confidence, public speaking skills, knowledge of the law, respect for the legal system, and a direction for my future.”

The Westmoreland County mock trial program is run through the Westmoreland Bar Foundation during the month of February. The competition is a contest comprised of area high school teams who compete in simulated legal trials. Students try a pretend civil case, with a pretend defendant, pretend witnesses and pretend attorneys but in real courtrooms. All teams rotate between the defense and the prosecution and the winning team moves on to regionals and, if successful, state and national competition. High School participants put in countless hours learning about courtroom procedures and rules of the competition under the guidance of a volunteer attorney coach and teacher coach.

Local high schools who have participated in the county-wide competition include:

Belle Vernon Area High School

Derry Area High School

Franklin Regional Senior High School

Greensburg Central Catholic High School

Greensburg Salem High School

Hempfield Area High School

Kiski Area School District

Mt. Pleasant Area High School

Penn-Trafford High School

Southmoreland High School

Valley High School

Additional participants’ comments:“The mock trial program is one factor that has not only influenced my choice to study law, but my whole approach to life. It has improved my speaking, critical thinking and researching skills and has cemented my desire to excel as an attorney,” explains Tim, the 2000 Hankey Scholarship Award winner.

“I take with me an added confidence and a working knowledge of the legal system. No other avenue in high school would have given me similar benefits. I found myself with a competitive edge I never thought I had.” Brianna, 2001 mock trial participant.